Bill could be health-care vehicle

State Rep. John Zerwas, a Simonton Republican who oversees human services on the House Appropriations Committee, is helping to keep open Texas’ options for coming up with a way to draw down billions of federal dollars for health care for the poor.

Zerwas on Friday filed House Bill 3791, which could serve as the vehicle if Republican leaders who oppose Medicaid expansion in its current form are able to agree on a proposal to the federal government.

Other lawmakers also have filed bills concerning Medicaid expansion or potential alternatives.

The Medicaid question dominated the legislative session last week, when House Speaker Joe Straus told us in a Wednesday interview that GOP leaders must move beyond just saying no to expansion and come up with a plan that will work for Texas.

Zerwas’ bill drew immediate praise from Dan Stultz, president and chief executive officer of the Texas Hospital Association. Stultz said in a statement:

“Representative Zerwas’ bill will allow Texas leaders to craft and customize a coverage reform package that utilizes Medicaid expansion funds to reduce uncompensated care at Texas hospitals and eliminate detrimental cost-shifting to the private market. We know that uninsured patients still require health care, and Texas leaders will be able to use this bill as a mechanism to reduce the effect of the state’s massive uninsured population on businesses and the insured. Doing so will vastly improve the state’s business infrastructure by increasing worker access to primary care, which promotes increased workplace efficiency and decreased morbidity and mortality.”